System of mining



E. C. MORGAN SYSTEM OF MINING Original Filed Jan. 14

4 Sheets-5heet 1 April 15 1924. 1,490,399

E. c. MORGAN SYSTEM OF MINING Original Filed Jan. 14, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Egg 5 April 15 1924. 1,490,399

E. c. MORGAN SYSTEM OF MINING Original Filed Jan. 14, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @WWA/L I E w k Am.

Apiiiil 315 9 MGRGAN SYSTEM OF MINING Original Filed Jan. 14, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet L portion of a coal mine showlng a conveyor Patented A t. 15,1924.

entree STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND C. MORGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN EXECUTRIX OF SAID EDMUND C. MORGAN, DECEASED.

SYSTEM OF MINING.

Original application filed January 14, 1916, Serial No. 72,044. Renewed October 7, 1920, Serial No. 415,276. Divided and this application filed September 11, 1922. Serial No. 587,555.

The invention is exemplified in the com bination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification and is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial N 0. 415,276, filed October 7, 1920, as a renewal of Serial No. 72,044, originally filed January 14,,1916,.for an improvement in mining apparatus.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a mine chamber showing a mining machine in its relation to a conveyor and roof-supporting mocha nism;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification in the relation between the mining machine and the roof-supporting mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a system used in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of a portion of a mine showing the relation of the various parts of the apparatus comprised in the present invention;

F ig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the layout of a mine in which the apparatus embodying the present invention is used; and

'Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the mining machine shown in Fig. 1.

The type of mining machine shown in the accompanying drawings is described in detail in the aforesaid co-pending application, Serial No. 415,276, but this ty machine is shown by way of ustration, it

of mining.

plates are shaped at their lower edges to conform to the shape of the wall from which the material is being removed. Sheet metal. shields 101 and 102 are provided, one at each end of the machine frame 1. These shields at their edges are curved to conform to the curvature of the cut made by the loop chain core-cutter 60 and are journaled -at their lower ends on pivot pins 103 on the 1 plates 8. Each of the guard plates 101, 102 is provided with openings 105, 106 and the plates 8 are. also provided with openings arranged to register with the openin s in the pivoted guard plates and bolts 10 are provided to pass through the registered openings to hold the guard plates in either of two positions, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A

guard plate on the end of the machine toward which the machine is moved after each out is secured in its upper position by passing the bolt 107 through the lower hole 105, while the plate on the op osite end of the machine issecured in its ower position so that its curved edge will substantially conform to the curvature of the out being made and so that the plate will expose the surface of the cut and prevent the material from escaping from the rope slingJ To change either of the guard plates 101, 102 from one position to theother it will be necessary to remove the bolt 107 and swing the pivoted plate on the pin 103 so that in its upper position it will free the end of the cutter-head 61, while in its lower position it will be held firmly against the edge of the fixed guard plate 8 and in line with an arm of the cutter frame 60.

Each of the pivoted guard plates 101,102 is provided with a shoe 110 which isflfas tened to the curved portion thereof in position to bear upon the mine floor when the plate is secured in its lowermost position.

This gives an added point of support to the machine and assists in counteracting the pressure produced by the feeding movement of the cutter frame.

Secured to the ends of the frame 1 are roof jacks 16 which are operated by the wheels 17 so as to hold the mining machine securely in adjusted position.

The driving mechanism for the loop chain core-cutter 60 is mounted in the drum 30.

In order to feed the loop chain core-cutter in ah upward direction, as illustrated in Fig. 1, a rope 64 is connected to and wound on the drum 30 and extends to winding apparatus 68 adapted to be operated by a motor 12 mounted on the frame 1.

After the upright crescent-shaped core of material has been cut from the mine wall the winding mechanism 91 is operated to exert pulls on the ropes 90 which are spaced apart and connected to the outer end of the loop chain core-cutter 60 to constitute a Sling for moving the dislodged material from the mine wall onto the conveyer 70. It should be understood that the loopchain core-cutter 60 has an unobstructed coreopening therethrough and that the frame 1 also has an opening extending therethrough from the mine wall to the conveyer k to register with the opening in the core-cutter when the latter is in its lower or initialposition.

The mining machine which is particularly adapted for use in the system of mining hereinafter described is best illustrated in Fig. 6. By referring to this view it will be seen that the main frame. is provided with uprights 1 and 2 at opposite endsthereOf, the uprights being connected at the bottom and top by members 3 and 4:,respectively, extending longitudinally of the frame. Extending from the front and rear of the members 3 and 4- are supporting brackets 5, there being two brackets at each end ofthe machine, as shown in Fig. 1. Each pair of brackets 5 is provided with a roller 6 to provide the main support of the machine. The rollers 6 are provided with axles 7 in the rear of the brackets 5.

The upper longitudinally extending member 4 is secured to the uprights 1 and 2 and is provided with a horizontal platform or shelf 11 on which a motor 12 for operating the mining machine is mounted.

Extending outwardly from each of the uprights 1 and 2 are bracket members 13 which carry internally threaded sleeves 14 to receive the screws 15 having the pointed extensions 16 at their upper ends. Hand wheels 17 are rigidly secured to the extensions 16 for operating the screws 15 in the sleeves 14: to force the extensions upwardly naeaeae into contact with the roof of a mine for holding the machine frame rigidly in an upright position.

The uprights 1 and 2 are each provided with vertical slideways, and by means of the screw 23 and the wheel the cutter head 30 may be adjusted in elevation.

The cutter head 30 is composed of a hollow cylindrical casing or axle which is supported for rotation in bearing rin s and encloses the mechanism for driving the cutter chains of the loop chain corecutter 60.

The cutter head 30 is rotated in its bearings by means of a pulley 61 which is provided with a peripheral groove to accommo' date a cable 64 which is carried to a drum 6;) on which it is wound. The cable 64: has one end secured to the pulley 61 in such a position that the cable is wound once substantially around the pulley when the cutter frame 61 is in its lowermost position. It will be apparent that tension upon the cable 64: due to rotation of the drum 65 will cause the pulley 61 to rot-ate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, moving with it the cutter frame 60 for making a cut in the face of a vein of material to be mined.

The drum 65 is driven from the motor 12 through a system of reduction gearing enclosed in the casing 66, which gearing drives the shaft 67 at a reduced speed. The shaft 67 is geared to the shaft which carries the drum 65 by spur gearing enclosed in the casing 68. The connection between the shaft 67 and the drum 65' is controlled by a clutch 69 operated by handle 70 carried on the face of the gear casing 68, as shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 1, the loop chain corecutter severs a crescent-shaped section of material from the face of the vein as the core-cutter is swung upwardly about its axis of rotation. In order to remove the severed material to a position from which it may be transported out of the mine, a series of cables 90 have theirends secured to the rear edge of the outer barof the cutter frame of the loop chain core-cutter 60 and are drawn into the kerf by the latter as it is swung upwardly about its. axis of rotation.

The opposite ends of the cables 90 are secured to an elongated drum 91 which is mounted on a shaft 92 extending longitudi-' nally of the main frame near the lower portion thereof and journaled for rotation in bearings 93 and 94, as shown in Fig. 6. 1

The shaft 92 is free to slide longitudinally in the bearing 93 but is provided with threads 95 at the opposite end which mesh with corresponding threads in the bearing 94. As the shaft 92 is rotated it will be seen that. it will also be fed longitudinally in its bearings by the threads 92. The pits of these threads is made to correspond with the diameter of the cables 90 so that as the cables 90 are wound upon the drum 91 the latter will be moved longitudinally a proper amount to maintain the portion of the cable being paid onto or ofl' thedrum in constant fixed position relative to the machine frame and to the cutter frame.

The shaft 92 is driven by a sprocket chain 96 which drives asprocket wheel splined to the shaft 92 and which is driven by a sprocket wheel on the shaft 67 arranged to be clutched thereto by a clutch 98. As the loop chain core-cutter is fed upwardl the shaft 92is permitted to rotate freely in its bearings 93 and 94 to pay out the cables 90 as they are drawn into the kerf formed by the loop chain core-cutter. When the latter has completely severed a section of material from the mine wall the severed material will be received by the cables 90 which together form in eifect a sling for receiving the core material. The upright crescent-shaped section of material will usually break up and fall downwardly somewhat by its own weight. From this position it is drawn backwardly over the drum 91 by rotating the latter to wind the cables 90 thereon by means of the mechanism described to assure the movement of the severed material with the cables.

In the operation of the machine cuts are made in succession along the face of the vein, the machine being adjusted along the face a distance equal to the width of a out after each operation. Because of this mode of working one edge of each section of severed material is always left exposed and it is preferable to provide means for preventing material from falling off the rope sling at this edge. To accomplish this purpose the sheet metal shields 101 and 102 described above are provided, one at each end of the machine frame.

For the urpose of moving the machine along the ace of the vein after each out has been made, a 'motor 112 is mounted on one end of the machine frame, as shown in Fig. 6. This motor is geared to a drum 113 which carries a cable 114 arranged to be wound thereon. l he free end of this cable may be carried in either direction from the winding drum and be secured to an anchorage in the mine. By winding the cable on the drum the machine may be moved in either direction along the face of the wall depending upon the direction in which the cable 114 extends from the drum.

While the machine described may be used in connection with any of the well-known devices for transporting coal from a mine, in order to secure the greatest advantages of the machine the invention disclosed con-. templates its use in combination with a system of conveyers shown in the drawings. As shown in Fig. 5, the mine is laid ofi in sections by entries 0 and cross or butt entries at, leaving intermediate pillars of coal 6. It is desirable to remove the coal from two pillars e simultaneously by a pair of machines f. working in conjunction with one another, as shownin Fig. 5.

' A track may be laid in the entry ol between the two pillars being worked and at the end of the track a conveyer h is placed to form an extension feeder to the track proper. This conveyer h is given a slight inclination, as shown in Fig. 4, so that it may discharge material from one end into a car i traveling on the track g. The end of the conveyer h. opposite the discharge end rests upon the surface of the mine chamber in position to receive material from two laterally extending conveyers h and 2 which extend the full lengths of the end faces of the pillars c, as shown in Fig. 3. These conveyers may be driven by any suitable well-known power devices, not shown inthe drawings, and it is desirable to arrange the driving mechanism for the conveyers Z- and s so that they may be driven in either direction.

The roof of the mine adjacent the working face ofthe mine vein is supported by a series of props m, as shown in Fig. 5. These props are provided at their upper extremities with laterally extending arms n and at their lower extremities with similar arms p. The lower arms p ext/end toward the working face to a position adjacent that occupied by the mining machine and the conveyers la and l are arranged to rest upon these arms, as shown in Fig. 1.

After the. mining machine progresses along the working face of the mine vein bevond a given prop m, that prop is moved toward the face of the vein, as indicated at m in Fig. 1. The arms p are of sufiicient length to supportthe conveyer is whether the props m are in the position shown in full lines or in the advanced position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. As the props are moved forward the roof of the mine from which they are removed is left unsupported to fall by-reason of the weight of the superimposed material.

Fig. 2 shows a modified form of construction in which the arms 7) are provided with ribs (1 which when a series of props are placed side by side form a monorail track on which the mining machine is supported and adapted to travel. Where this form of prop is used the roller 6 of the mining machine will be modified to correspond with the monorail track on which it runs. The upper arms it may also be provided with grooves 12," td receive the upper ends of the extension bars 16 for holding the machine in upright position.

In 'oeration the mining machines are prefera ly'worked in pairs, as indicated in Fig. 5, each machine severing material from the face of the vein at corresponding positions at adjacent pillars 6. After each cut is made by one of the machines it is moved along the face of the vein into position to make the next out. In this wafor each passage 011 the machine across tie face of the vein 1t seveis a section of material crescent-shaped in cross-section, from the entire length of the face being worked. As the material is severed from the face of the vein it is discharged from the machine onto conveyer is which is properly positioned to receive and transport the severed material.

Thetwo conveyers k and ,2, as shown in Fig. 3, which receive the material from the two mining machines working in conjunction with one another carry this material to the main conveyor 72. positioned in the entry 01 between the two pillars e, 6 being worked. The main conveyer h therefore receives the dislodged material from the contributory conveyers 7a and a and carries the material upwardly and discharges it into the car i for transportation from the mine along the track 9.

The mining machines are operated to sever material as they are moved in either direction across the ends of the pillars e, e, the only changes required for such reversal of operation being the adjustment of the guard plates 1.01, 102 and the change of direction of the cable for moving the machine. As the mining machines progress along the working faces the props are moved" forwardly in succession and after the machines have been completely moved across the working faces the conveyers are all shifted forwardly into position for the next series of cuts. It is to be understood that any number of mining machines may be used in conjunction with one another. The sections of the mine designated y in Fig. 5 are those from which the coal has been mined and the roof left in such condition that it may subside, the series of roof props being used only to support the roof adjacent the spaces where mining and loading operations are proceeding.

If a vein of coal is encountered which has a stratum of undesirable material it may be found advantageous to operate one of the mining machines in conjunction with.

any machine of well-known construction for making a horizontal kerf in a mine wall. One ofthe machines shown in Fig. 5 would be replaced by such a cutting device which would be employed to remove the undesirable material. The latter would be discharged onto one of the conveyers k or a which would be operated in reverse direction to carry the undesirable material to the outer entry 03 while the other conveyer is carryin the material severedby the minmac 'ne to the middle entry where it is menses loaded and transported from the mine. In other words, the undesirable or foreign material removed from the dirty band in the coal vein may be deposited in the gob or the outer entry and left to be covered by the subsidence of the mine roof after subse-. quent mining operations have removed the pillars of coal adjacent the sections of the mine from which the coal has already been removed.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement. of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and 1 wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In mining apparatus, a plurality of mine props arranged side by side parallel with the face of a mine vein, forwardly eX- tending arms carried by said props, a conveyer supported by said arms parallel with the face of said vein, a mining machine comprising a narrow upright frame, means on said arms for guiding said frame along the face of said vein, core-cutting mechanism carried by said frame at the side thereof opposite the said conveyer', and means for transferring the material severed by said core-cutting mechanism onto said conveyer.

2. The combination with a mining machine, of a roof prop having a roof-engaging shoe and roof covering connected to said shoe and extending along the roof therefrom toward said mining machine, and a jack between said mining machine and said roof covering extensions.

3. The combination of a mining machine comprising a supporting frame and dislodging mechanism mountedthereon for operation while said supporting frame remains stationary, "a roof prop spaced from said supporting frame and having a roof-engaging shoe, a roof covering extension from said shoe toward said supporting frame, and means between said supporting frame and saidextension for anchoring said supporting frame in stationary position during the operation of said dislodging mechan1sm.,

4. The combination with a mining machine, of a roof prop, and a forwardly projecting support connected to the lower end of said roof prop, a rail on the forward portion of said support, and means on said mining machine for engaging said rail.

5. The combination with a mining machine, of a roof prop, a forwardly projecting roof supporting arm connected to the upper end of said roof prop, a guideway connected to the forward -portion of said aeeaaee roof supporting arm, and a jack mounted on said mining machine and engaging said guideway for a sliding movement along the same.

.6. The combination with a mining machine, of a roof prop back of the same, a forwardly projecting support connected to the lower end of said prop, a rail connected to the forward portion of said support, means on said mining machine for engaging said rail to guide the mining ma: chine along the same, a forwardly projecting roof supporting arm connected to the upper end of said prop, a guideway connected to the forward portion of said roof supporting arm, and a jack mounted on said mining machine and engaging said guideway to slide along the same.

7. The combination with a mining machine comprising a. supporting frame, of means for anchoring said supporting frame in each of the operating positions of the mining machine, a plurality of roof props arranged in a series spaced back from the line of operating positions of the mining machine, forwardly projecting supports connected to the lower portions of the roof props, and a conveyer extending across said supports and above the same in position to receive material from said mining machine in its various operating positions.

8. The combination with a mining machine having a self-supporting frame adaptto be located adjacent an upright mine wall to be operated on and adapted to be moved along the mine wall approximately parallel thereto, of roof supporting mechanism spaced back a short distance from the ath of movement of said mining machine a ong the mine wall, and a track connected to said roof supporting mechanism and located on the floor of the mine chamber in position for directing said mining machine along a predetermined path of travel adjacent the mine wall.

9. The combination of a mining machine comprising a comparatively narrow frame having cutting mechanism extending from one ide thereof toward the mine wall, roof supporting mechanism comprising a forwardly projecting roof. supporting arm whereby a passageway isaiforded substantially parallel to the mine wall back of the mining machine and between the latter and said roof supporting mechanism, and roof jack mechanism on said mining machine frame in position to engage the forward 7 end of said arm duringthe operation of said mining machine.

10. The combination of amining machine having a comparatively narrow frame transversely thereof toward the mine wall and cutting mechanism carried by said frame on that 'side' thereof facing the mine wall, means for anchoring the mining machine between the floor and roof of the mine chamber, and roof supporting mechanism comprising a roof jack spaced back from the said frame to afford a passageway approximate- 1y parallel to the mine wall back of the mining mai-hi'ne, said roof supporting mechanism also comprising a forwardly projecting roof support-ing arm to assist in supporting the roof while the mining machine is moved along the mine wall to a new location.

11. In a system of mining, the combination with a mining machine comprising a frame and cutting mechanism carried by said frame and extending from that side thereof facing the mine wall, of a series of roof jacks spaced back from said mining machine to afford a passageway back of said mining machine and approximately parallel with the face of the mine wall, and track sections carried by said roof jacks and movable with the same toward the mine wall for laying the track for the return travel of the mining machine along the mine wall for the removal of another section of material therefrom.

12. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine adapted to be located in a mine chamber and moved along a mine wall to dislodge material therefrom, of roof supporting mechanism back of the mining machine and comprising forwardly projecting arms to support the roof adjacent the mining machine during its operation and during its successive movements to new locations, means. at the forward ends of said arms to form guide grooves parallel to the face of the mine wall, and roof jack mechanism carried by said mining machine and engaging such grooves.

13. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine, of a roof prop spaced back from said mining machine to afford a passageway back of said mining machine and between the same and said roof prop for the delivery of material along the mine wall back of the path of travel of said mining machine, a forwardly projecting support connected to the lower end of said roof prop, a rail section on the forward portion of said forwardly projecting support, and means on said mining machine for engaging said rail to support said mining machine on such rail.

14. The combination with a mining machine, of a portable roof jack, a forwardly projecting armconnected to the upper portion of said roofjack to extend along the roof of said mine chamber toward said mining machine,-a guideway connected to the forward portion of-said arm, and means extending from said mining machine for engaging said guideway.

15. The combination with a mining machine, of a roof jack adapted to the located near said mining machine, a forwardly projecting support connected to the lower portion of said roof jack and extending along the floor of the mine-chamber toward said mining machine, a rail connected to the forward portion of said support, means on the lower portion of said mining machine for engaging said rail to guide said mining machine along said rail, and means for holding said mining machine in adjusted position on said rail.

16. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine com prising alined wheels adapted to run on a single rail track, of a series of roof jacks adapted to be located in a mine chamber back of the path of movement of said mining machine along the mine wall, a plurality of rail sections one connected to each of'said roof jacks for movement forwardly therewith to lay the single rail track for a new path of movement of the mining machine along the mine wall, and conveyer mechanism back of the mining machine and in front of the roof jacks for receiving dislodged material from the mining machine and transferring it toward loading position. 17. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with two mining machines adapted to be located in a mine chamber for operation on the rear ends of two spaced-apart-pillars in the mine, of aseries of roof jacks movable forward individually to new locations in series with each other, conveyer mechanism between each mining machine and the series of roof jacks, such conveyor mechanism being spaced back from such mining machines and extending across the rear ends of said pillars in position to receive dislodged material directly from the mining machines, means on each mining machine for transferring cut material to said adjacent conveyer mechanism, and additional conveyer mechanism extending forwardly between said pillars to receive the material from said first-named conveyer mechanism and move it to a mine car located between said pillars.

18. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with two mining and loa ing machines adapted to be located in a mine for operating on the rear ends of two spaced-apart pillars, of a series of roof jacks extending across the rear ends of said pillars but spaced back therefrom and spaced back from saidmining and loading machines, track sections connected to said roof jacks and movable forwardly individually with. said roof jacks toward the rearends of said pillars, said track sections being adapted to constitute a singlerail track for said mining and loading machines, supplemental roof supports extending from the upper ends of said roof jacks toward said mining and loading machines, guideways on said supplemental roof supports, roof jack mechanism mounted on said mining and loading machines for engageing said guideways, two endless conveyers' one mounted back of each of said mining and loading machines in front of the series of roof jacks in position to receive the dislodged material directly and automatically from said mining and loading machines and convey the same toward the space between said pillars, and an additional endless conveyer for receiving the material from said two oppositely operating conveyers and convey the same along the space between said pillars to a mine car between said pillars.

19. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with two mining and loading machines, each comprising core-cutting mechanism, a narrow supporting frame and means for transferring the material of the core from the mine wall through said frame, of a series of roof jacks spaced back from said mining and loading machines, track sections carried by said roof jacks and movable forward individually therewith to lay a single rail track for said mining and loading machines, supplemental roof supports extending forwardly from the upper ends of' said roof jacks, guideways carried by said supplemental roof supports, roof jack mechanism on each of said mining and loading machines for engaging said guideways, two endless conveyers operating in opposite diiections and toward each other in the space between said mining and loading machines and said series of roof jacks and in position to receive dislodged material directly and automatically from said mining machines, and an additional endless conveyer for receiving the material from said oppositely operating conveyels to transfer the same to a mine car between pillars at the rear ends of which said mining and loading machines are adapted to operate.

20. In a system of mining and loading, the combination with a mining machine having a predetermined path of travel step by step to new mining positions, of roof supporting mechanism, forwardly project-ing mechanism connected to the lower portion of saidroof supporting mechanism, and a conveyer adapted to rest on said forwardly projecting mechanism parallel to the predetermined path of travel of said mining machine in position to receive the material from said'mining machine in its various mining positions.

21. he combination with a mining ,machine having a, supporting-frame comparatively narrow transversely thereof toward the mine wall to afford a free and unobstructed passageway back of the said frame for the passage of dislodged material paral- 'lel to the mine wall, and core-cutting mechanism carried by said frame on that side thereof facing the mine wall, means for anchoring the frame between the floor and roof of the mine chamber, roof supporting mechanism back of said passageway and comprising a forwardly projecting roof supporting arm to assist in supporting the roof while the mining machine is being moved along the mine wall to a new location, and means on said arm adapted to be engaged by said anchoring means to assist the latter to hold said mining machine in position during the operation thereof. 22. In a system of mining, ,the combination with a mining machine comprising a frame and cutting mechanism carried by said frame and extending fromthat side thereof facing the mine wall, of a series of roof supports back of said mining machine and-spaced therefrom to afford a. passageway approximately parallel to the face of the mine wall, track sections carried by said roof supports and movable with the same toward the mine wall for layin the track for said mining machine to traveIon, wheels on said mining machine to travel on said track, and means for anchoring the mining machine during its 0 eration.

' 23. In a system 0 mining, the combination with a frame narrow in a direction transverse of the mine wall to afford a free and unobstructed passageway for the trans portation of dislodged material, of cutting mechanism on that side of said frame facing the mine wall, a supplemental frame" provided with an upper forwardly projectin arm with a groove on its underside, an roof jack mechanism extending into said groove from said first-named frame to holdthe latter against tilting when said roof jack mechanism is partially released and to guide said mining machine along the mine wall to a new location.

24. In a system of mining, the combination with a supporting frame narrow trans versely of the mine wall, of cutting mechanism on that side of said frame facing the mine wall, a supplemental frame having upper and lower forwardly extending arms adapted to respectively extend along the floor and roof of the mine chamber, a rail on the lower arm and a groove on the upper arm, wheels on the supporting frame for engaging said rail, and means on said supporting frame to engage said groove to guide the mining machine and prevent the same from tilting.

25. In a system of mining, the combination with a supporting frame narrow trans- .rersely of the mine wall. of cutting mechanismon that side of said frame facing the .mine wall, supplemental framework having spaced-apart horizontalarms, a rail on the lower'arm, wheels on said supporting frame adapted to travel on said rail, means on said supporting frame to engage a groove in the upper arm parallel to said rail to coact with the latter to guide said supporting frame along the mine wall, and conveyer mechanism on the supplemental frame adjacent said narrow frame to convey the material dislodged by said cutting mechanism along the passageway between said arms and back of said narrow frame.

26. In a system of mining apparatus, the combination with two mining machines adapted to be located in a mine chamber for operation on the rear ends of two spacedapart pillars in the mine, of a series of roof jacks movable forward individually to new locations in series with each other back of the mining machines'and spaced therefrom, conveyer mechanism between each mining machine and the series of roof jacks, K

the latter being spaced back from such .mining machines and extending across the rear ends of said pillars, and the conveyer mechanism being in position to receive dislodged material directly from the mining machinesrmeans on each mining machine for transferring cut material to said adjacent conveyer mechanism, and additional conveyer mechanism extending forwardly between said pillars to receive the material from said'first-named conveyer mechanism and move it to a mine car located between said pillars.

27. In a system of mining apparatus, the

combination with two mining and loading machines adapte to be located in a mine for operating on the rear ends of two spacedapart pillars, .of a series of roof jacks extending across the rear ends of said pillars but spaced back therefrom and spaced back from said mining and loading machines, track sections connected to said roof jacks and movable forwardly individually with said roof jacks toward the rear ends of said pillars, said track sections being adapted to constitute a single rail track for said mining and loading machines, supplemental roof supports extending from the upper ends of said roof jacks toward said mining and loading machines, guideways on said supplemental roof supports. roof jack mechanism mounted on said mining and loading machines for engaging said guideways two endless conveyers one mounted back 0 each of said mining and loading machines in front of the series of roof jacks in position to receive. the dislodged material directly and automatically from said mining and loading machines and convey the same toward the space between said pillars, and an additional endless conveyer for receiving the material from said two oppositely operating conveyers and convey the same along the space between said pillars to a mine car between said pillars,

538. in a system of mining apparatus, the

means for transferring the material of the core from the mine wall through said frame, of a. series of roof packs spaced back from said mining and loading machines,v track sections carried by said roof jacks and morable forward individually therewith to lay a single rail track for said mining and loading machines, supplemental roof supports extending forwardly from the upper ends of said roof jacks, guideways carried by said supplemental roof supports. roof jack mechanism on each of said mining and loading machines for engaging said guideways, two endless conveyers operating in opposite directions and toward each other in the space between said mining and loading machines and said series of roof jacks and in position to receive dislodged material directly and automatically from said mining machines, and an additional endless conveyer for receiving the material from said oppositely operating conveyers to transferthe same to a mine car between pillars at the rear ends of which said mining and loading machines are adapted to operate.

29. In a system of mining, the combination with an elongated conveyer spaced back from the uprightface of amine wall but extending along the same, of a mining machine located between said conveyer and the mine wall to have a path of travel closely adjacent said conveyer. means on said mining machine for effecting the transfer of severed material directly onto said conveyer in the various positions of said mining ma chine along said conveyer, roof-propping mechanism extending along said conveyor directly back of the same and closely adiacent thereto, and means extending from the upper portion of said roof-propping mechanism along the roof toward said min ing machine for sustaining the roof above the conveyer and intercepting material which may become detached from the roof above said conveyer. I

30. In mining apparatus adapted for robhing pillars in a retreat system, the combination with an elongated conveyer.adapted to occupy a position parallel to'and close to the face of the rear end'of the pillar and. spaced therefrom, of means between said conveyor and said pillar adapted to travel along said-conveyer to dislodge material from the rear end of said pillar and direct such material onto said conveyer, said dislodged means comprising a narrow frame having its points of floor support'in alinement with each other and in vertical planes extending longitudinally through said frame, roof jack mechanism for engaging the roofat points in such vertical incense planes to hold the said frame stationary during the operation of said dislodging means, and a second conveyor adjustably connected to said first-named conveyer to occupy an angular position relative to said first-named conveyor to receive material from the latter and transfer it along one side of said pillar toward the forward portion thereof.

31. The method of mining which consists of removing material from the face of a mine vein by making a plurality of successive contiguous upright parallel cuts along said face, and supporting the roof adjacent such face during such operation by props moved successively toward the space from which each succeeding section is removed.

32. The method of mining which consists of removing from the face of a mine vein upright sections of material crescent-shaped in elevation and continuing to remove such sections along the face of a mine .vein, and supporting the roof adjacent said face during such operation by props moved forwardly into the space formed by the removal of the succeeding crescent-shaped sections, thus effecting the removal of the material in the vein and leaving the roof unsupported after the completion of the mining operation.

33. The method of mining which consists of removing successive series of upright crescent-shaped sections of material from a mine vein and supporting the roof along predetermined lines back of the space of mining operations and then gradually changing the roof support along the space through which the mining operations have been carried on.

34. The method of mining which consists of removing upright crescent-shaped sections of material from the face of a mine vein and forming a roof support along predetermined lines back of the space through which mining operations are carried on and then gradually shifting the support of the roof into the space previously used during the mining operations.

35. The method of mining which consists of removing successive individual upright sections of material from the face of a mine vein, forming an elongated roof support adjacent the working face of a mine vein by a series ofindividual mine props arranged contiguous to one another forming a covering between the line of space between the roof support and the face left by continuous mining operations, and gradually shifting the line of roof support in accordance with the advance of mining operations.

36. The method'of mining which consists of cutting successive upright crescent-shaped sections of coal from the ends of adjacent pillars, forming a continuous roof support alon predetermined lines adjacent the working aces, and gradually shifting such lines of roof support into the space previously occupied by the mining operations.

37. The method of mining which consists of cutting successive upright crescent-shaped sections of coal from the rear ends of pillars having an entry between them, forming a continuous line of roof support back of said pillars and back of said entry, and gradually shifting such line of roof support toward such entry and toward the space previously occupied by the mining operations.

along the rear ends of said pillars while transporting dislodged material from the spaces where mining operations are being carried on to the entry between the pillars.

38. The method of mining which consists of removing material from the face of a mine vein by successive contiguous parallel upright cuts along said face, placing poweroperated extensible roof props closely adjacent each other in a comparatively long series to form a. continuous line of roof support to protect the space where mining operations are proceeding on one side of said line of roof support while permitting the subsidence over the space on the other side of said line of roof support, transporting from said space the material dislodged, and gradually and positively shifting such series of props while remaining in upright positions to new locations while always maintaining a line of roof support to confine such subsidence back of the space of such series of roof props so that subsidence ma occur during mining operations and while the series of roof props is being thus gradually shifted to a new location.

39. The method of mining which consists of removing successive individual upright sections ofmaterial from the face of amine vein, forming an elongated line of roof support by means of individual anchorages closely adjacenteach other to form a series adjacent the working face, shifting the anchorages gradually toward the space from which the material has been removed, transporting from such space the material dis lodged from the mine vein, forming a covering for such space b extensions from the upper ends of the anc orages and securing the anchorages 1n such posltions as to always form a continuous line ofroof support suficient to confine subsidence of the roof back cent in a long series, gradually shifting the. line of roof support into the space occupied by the mining operations, and simultaneously with such shifting laying mono-rail track sections supported on extensions from the lower ends of saidanchorages.

41. The method of mining which consists of successively removing individual sections ofmaterial from the face of a mine vein, forming a flexible line of roof support by means of individual closely adjacent anchorages arranged in a series at a predetermined distance from the working face, gradually shifting the line of support into the space previously occupied by the mining operations while maintaining support of the roof to confine roof subsidence back of such line of support and protecting the space where mining operations are being carried on, and simultaneously with such shifting, extending and shifting a roof covering between the line of support and the mine vein while also laying mono-rail track sections connected to extensions from the lower ends of said anchorages.

42. The method of mining coal which consists of removing successive crescentshaped sections of coal from a coal face, forming a line of roof support by means of individual anchorages closely adJacent in a series spaced back from such coal face, forming a roof covering by means of extensions from the upper ends of said anchorages toward the coal vein, laying a mono-rail track by sections on extensions in the lower ends of said anchorages, and gradually shifting the line of roof support toward the coal vein while the mining operations proceed and simultaneously shifting the roof covering and laying the mono-rail track sections by moving them toward the coal vein.

43. The method of mining which consists of removing the material from the face of a mine vein by successive contiguous upright cuts made by a machine which is movable back and forth along such. face, supporting the roof of the chamber formed by such cuts by a plurality of props placed side by side and having laterally extending arms, moving said props from each position into a position behind said machine as said machine is advanced along said face, and transporting the dislodged material along the space between the roof props and the face of a mine vein.

44. The method of mining which consists of removing material from the face of a mine vein in successive upright sections by a machine adapted to occupy various positions along such face, supporting the roof of the mine by props havinglaterally extending arms and moved successively into position from the space formed by the removal of each section of that formed by the removal of the next section so that the space behind the machine is continuously kept open by said arms to permit the transfer of the dislodged material along such space.

45. In a system of mining, the method which consists of removing upright sections of material from a mine vein supporting the roof adjacent the place 0 mining by a series of contiguous sliding upright props arranged in a series, and moving the props successively into the space opened by the removal of material from the mine vein and thereby controlling the subsidence of the roof on that side of the series of roof props opposite the place of mining.

46. In a system of mining, the combination of a mining machine comprising loop chain core-cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and mounted for feeding movement on a horizontal axis parallel to the upright face of a mine wall, and roofsustaining props adapted to be moved forwardly from the space formed by the removal of each section into the space formed by the removal of each succeeding section, thus forming a line of roof support to protect the space where the mining operations arebeing carried on and control the subsidence of the roof on the other side of said line of roof support.

47. In a system of mining, the combination of a mining machine adapted to cut upright crescent-shaped sections of material from the face of a mine vein, and a plurality of roof supports set side by side in successive sliding engagement and shiftable to new location to control the subsidence of the roof at, the Worked-out spaces.

48. In mining apparatus, the combination with a plurality of mine props arranged side by side parallel with the face of a mine vein, of forwardly extending arms carried by said props, an endless conveyer adapted to be carriedby said arms for transferring material along a path parallel with the face of the mine vein, and a mining machine in position to operate on such face of dislodged material from the mine vein for said endless conveyer.

49. In a system of mining,-the combination with two mining machines adapted to be located in a mine chamber for operating on the rear ends of two spacedapart pillars in the mine, each mining machine having a supporting frame, narrow in width in the direction extending transversely of the working face adjacent thereto to afiord a space back of such frame close to the working face,-of a series of roof jacks movable forward individually to new locations in series with 'each other near the mining machines but spaced therefrom, endless traveling conveyers one between each mining machine and the series of roof jacks below and spanning said space, said endless conveyers extending along the operating positions of the mining machines immediately adjacent the fronts'of said roof jacks,

and an additional endless conveyer between the pillars in position to receive material from the first-named conveyers.

50. In a system of mining, the combination with a mining machine, of a series of closely adjacent roof props movable toward a mine vein individually to new locations in series with each other near the mining machine at the working face, and track sections between the roof props and the mine vein adapted to be moved toward the mine vein to extend a track between the roof props and the mine vein to a position for the mining machine to travel on and to rest upon while in operating position at the mine veln.

51. In a system of'mining, the combination with a mining machine having a predetermined path of travel step by step to new mining positions along a track, of roof-supporting mechanism, forwardly projecting mechanism connected to the lower portion of said roof-supporting mechanism, and track sections carried by said forwardly projecting mechanism to extend the track for the mining machine to be moved to a new mining position.

52. In a system of mining, the combination with a mining machine, of a series of roof supports back of said mining machine and spaced therefrom to aflord a passageway approximately parallel to the face of the mine wall, and track sections carried by said roof supports and movable with the same toward the mine vein for laying a track for the mining machine to travel on and to rest on.

53. In mining apparatus, the combination with a multiplicity of power-operated extensible roof props each comprising a frame movable over the floor of a mine chamber, said extensible props being located closely adjacent each other in a comparatively long series-to form a continuous line of roof support to protect the space where mining operations are proceeding on one side of said roof support, while permitting the subsidence of the roof over the space on the other side of said line of roof support, an endless conveyer extending along that side of said line of roof support where mining operations are carried on, and a mining machine adapted to occupy various mining positions along said conveyor for dislodging material from an upright mine wall and delivering it to said conveyer.

54. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of individual extensible roof props adapted to form a line of roof support to confine roof subsidence to. that line of roof support opposite the space where mining operations are bein carried on, of a series of radially extending individual supports connected respectively to the lower ends of said roof props and adapted aeeoeee to be placed in parallelism over the floor toward the space where mining 0 erations are carried on, and an endless trave ing conveyer mounted on said lower support for transferring mined material along a path substantially parallel to said line of support.

55. A mine prop comprising an upright supporting standard, a base, and an arm extending laterally from said base and provided with a single rib arranged to form a mono-rail track when a plurality of said props are placed side by side one another.

56. The combination with a mining machine adapted to dislodge an upright crescent-shaped mass of material from a mine vein, of roof-jack mechanism in position to firmly engage the roof adjacent the up er limitof operation of said mining mec anism to anchor the frame of the latter during the operation thereof, and means extending horizontally rearwardly from such upper limit closely adjacent the mine roof in position to intercept material that may become detached therefrom and prevent such material from falling into the space immediately back of the mining machine and immediately back of the various positions of the latter along the mine wall.

57. The combination of a mining machine having a supporting frame with severing mechanism mounted thereon in position to cut material in an upright mine wall of a shape to leave an overhanging arched por tion for supporting the roof of the mine directly above the range of cutting operation, roof-jack mechanism on said frame in position to assist said arched portion in supporting the roof adjacent the range of cutting operationiand to anchor said frame to hold it stationary, and means extending horizontally rearwardly from said overhanging arched portion in contact with the roof in position to intercept material that may become detached from the roof back of said arched portion.

58. In mining apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of roof-jack mechanism thereon in position to anchor said frame in stationary position, dislodging mechanism on said frame in position to operate on an upright mine Wall adjacent said roof-jack mechanism, and a table extending rearwardlyfrom said roof-jack mechanism over a wide hack of the whole of said frame and approximately the elevation of the roof engaging portion of said roof-jack mechanism position to receive material t l d fror the roof above said table.

ihination with a mining inaa main frame, dislodging mechanism on said frame in position to receive a crescent'shaped mass of material from an upright mine wall and of a width approximately equal to the width of said frame, of roof-jack mechanism for firmly anchoring said main frame during the operation of said dislodging mechanism, means extending along the roof to intercept detached material and prevent the same from falling into the space back of the path of travel of the mining machine along the mine wall, and an elongated conveyer extending below such space and immediately back of the path of travel of the mining machine. 60. The combination with a mining machine adapted to remove sections from a mine wall, of an elongated conveyor having astationary frame back of the path of the mining machine parallel to the working face, and. portable sectional roof coveringfor the space above the conveyor back of the path of travel of the mining machine along the mine wall.

61. The combination with an elongated conveyor having a stationary frame spaced from the mine wall and parallel thereto, of a mining machine having a path of travel along the conveyor and the mine wall and adapted to remove sections of coal from the mine vein and deliver such coal to said oon veyor, a series of roof props back of the conveyor and extending along the same, and extensions from the upper ends of the roof props toward said mining machine to form a roof covering over said conveyor to prevent material detached from the roof mixing with the coal delivered to the conveyor. 62. In a system of mining, the combination with an elongated conveyer spaced back from the upright face of a mine wall but extending along the same, of a mining machine located between said conveyer and the mine wall to have a path of travel closely adjacent said conveyer, means for moving said. mining machine alongsuch path of travel to adjust the position thereof, means on said mining mac ine for efiecting the transfer of severed material directly onto said conveyer in the various positions of said mining m. chine along said conveyer, and roof-propping mechanism extending along said conveyor directly back of the same and closely adja cent thereto in position to hold up the roof for the area of operation of said mining machine and said conveyer.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 7th. day of September A. D. 1922. 

